The Grasshopper Page 13
“I cannot stand it any longer either, Prince, I can’t… I need you immediately… now. Call a limousine for the two of us… call…. And do you know what I’ll do to you? I’ll wrap myself around you. I’ll squeeze you both with mu hands and legs. And I won’t let you go until you pour the last drop of your semen into me, Prince Kaella! And I’ll bear you a son! A true Kaella! Not only a Prince of Earth, but emperor of the entire Universe. And my blood will rule this world for a million years! Just watch, Prince… Watch!”
Babe suddenly spread her legs. Prince did not bend forward. An invisible force threw him back into the armchair. He saw what his fluorescent lightning was pointing at.
A gold chain was intertwined with the black threads of Babe’s lace thong. Hanging on it was a gold coin, which Babe had commissioned from a goldsmith, in the greatest secrecy. Engraved on the gold coin was a profile of Prince Kaella, crowned with a laurel.
*****
The only state institution for which Prince Kaella did not limit the budget was the Organization for the Protection of the State and the Constitutional Order. The Organization had been formed and was personally commanded by Erivan. It was made up of squads labeled with letters.
The organization was popularly called Erivan’s squads, and its members – squires.
Charlie, the leader of C Squad, which Erivan had assigned to protect Mr. Kaella and his son Prince at this decisive, historic moment, put his finger on the Torpedo icon on the dashboard of his submarine. He then chose the Fire command.
*****
Any man would be envious of Prince Kaella on such a death. He died looking at his highness basking in Babe’s pubic mound.
Chapter 62
The energy system in space consisted of 96 cosmic energy collectors and the Command. The collectors were actually platforms placed in 12 orbits around Earth. There were 8 collectors in each orbit.
Each collector had 36 so-called cannons. The cannons sent narrow, precise beams of accumulated cosmic energy, which charged the cosmic power plants on Earth. The received cosmic energy was transformed into electrical energy at the power plants. There were no more other energy sources.
The collectors were not geostationary. Each collector could change its position by switching on its engines. In addition to this it could also change the direction of each of its 36 beams. This way the cosmic energy beams covered every inch of the Earth’s surface.
There were no human crews on the collectors. They were operated remotely, from the Command Platform, which was simply called the Command. The Command crew consisted of top experts and security.
The Grasshopper was on a spaceship, on his way to the Command, together with five hand-picked members of Erivan’s squads.
Chapter 63
Screens across the planet Earth went dark and silent. But for less than a minute. After that they displayed the image from a camera mounted on a crane on Short Street. The unpleasant silence was interrupted by the television commentator of the broadcast of President Xing’s last election speech.
“Dear viewers, we have technical problems with the reception of the signal from Mr. Kaella’s submarine. While we are waiting to reestablish the connection and the continuation of the interview, let’s take a look at how Consumers are greeting President Xing.”
The motorcade was just entering Short Street. At the moment when the presidential car passed by fence beyond which pupils from the fifth and eighth grade were waving Earth flags, the screens across the planet again went dark and silent.
“Horrific crime! Heinous!” shouted the shocked anchor from the studio of Capital City TV, after several minutes of darkness. “An assassination has been carried out against President Xing! Here’s the footage from our helicopter!”
Short Street was no more. In its place, beneath a cloud of smoke, was a deep crater. In some places, where the wind had cleared the dust, pieces of the surrounding buildings could be seen scattered at the bottom of the crater.
The footage from the Capital City TV helicopter suddenly disappeared, and the screens displayed the text “We are awaiting an address from President Erivan.”
Chapter 64
Erivan stood in a black suit, black shirt and black tie, perfectly tailored to his demanding figure. There were no state emblems around him, nor was there any indication of where he was located. Only he was illuminated, and around him was darkness.
Erivan was silent while the camera slowly zoomed in on his bust, until it completely filled the screens. Not a single muscle on his face had moved. Only his tight lips and ironclad eyes reflected the unfaltering determination of the new ruler of the world.
“Less than fifteen minutes ago the Non-Consumers carried out a terrorist attack and killed out former President Xing and his entire family…” he said drearily. Then he paused, looked at the floor, sighed deeply, raised his eyes to the camera, now filled with pain and continued “at the same moment, during the interview, the Non-Consumers also slew Mr. Kaella and his son Prince.” Erivan paused, allowing people to accept this horrific news. “On behalf of the State and from me personally, I would like to express the deepest condolences to the Kaella family.”
The pain disappeared from Erivan’s eyes, giving in to deep and sincere hatred. “The State of Earth declares war on the Non-Consumers,” he said menacingly and continued “The State is taking over ownership and management of the Association of Companies. After the war the shares will be returned to the Consumers. They will also be given the stakes previously owned by the Non-Consumers. All civilian courts are suspended and martial law is introduced, enforced by the Inspectorate courts. There is only one punishment for the Non-Consumers: death.”
The camera zoomed out. The spotlight on Erivan slowly grew fainter. His silhouette faded into darkness.
Part II: The War
Chapter 65
“You have no right to be mad at me, Dorika,” Gloria told her colleague and friend. The two of them had sat down alone, Gloria by the window and Dorika next to her, to calmly discuss the newly-arisen problem.
Dorika was silent, staring at the back of the seat in front of her.
“You called me while I was waiting for you at the club and said that you weren’t feeling well, that you had a migraine and that you had to go to bed immediately. Isn’t that right?”
Dorika didn’t answer.
“Isn’t that right, I asked you!”
“Yes.”
“There, you see.”
“But that’s not an excuse,” Dorika softened up and looked at Gloria. “This thing with Svetlana was so important that you should have woken me up. I would have taken another pill for my head and…”
“I know…”
“Well if you know, why didn’t you wake me up?”
“Because… but not a word to anyone!”
“You saw Pascal too?!”
“No… it has nothing to do with them…”
“So?”
“Promise me that you won’t tell a soul.”
“I promise. Tell me already!”
“Last night, when you said that you wouldn’t be coming to the club, I paid for my drink and started for the exit. What was I going to do there by myself, right?”
“And?”
“So I’m already nearing the door when I hear… it was noisy, loud music… you know how it gets there…”
“What did you hear?”
“Well… I wasn’t at all sure in that noise. I thought that I had imagined it. I didn’t even turn around…”
“OK, so?”
“And then, a second time, much louder. I heard someone shout ‘Gloria! Gloria!’, and I turned around…”
“Who was it?”
“A young man.”
“A young man! Really? Was he handsome?”
“Very handsome”
“Wow, tell me more! How did he approach you? How did you get introduced?”
“Well… we didn’t get introduced.”
“I don’t get it. Ho
w didn’t you get introduced? Why then did he call out to you?”
“You don’t get it, Dorika. He called me by my name. There was no need for us to get introduced.”
“You know him?”
“You know him too.”
“I know him too. Where do we know him from? What are you trying to tell me, Gloria? He isn’t one of our guys, is he?”
“You promised that you wouldn’t…”
“Yes, I did! Who?”
“Guess!”
“Guess?... alright. You say he’s handsome?”
“No.”
“What do you mean ‘no’? You said…”
“I said ‘very handsome’.”
“Could it be…?”
“Yes, yes!”
“Habib!”
“Yes, him!”
“Wow, Gloria! Tell me, tell me everything! So you turn around and you see Habib calling you! My leg would have turned to jelly.”
“What do you think, that mine didn’t?”
“Come on… tell me…”
“I didn’t see who he was with at the club. He never left my side. Whoever he was with didn’t interest him anymore.”
“You lucky girl!”
“We danced, we talked…”
“What did you talk about…”
“Nothing much… about our campaign, our work… it was too loud in there. And I was keeping a distance, like between coworkers.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean ‘why’? Well you can’t immediately show how much you like him. The guy has to work a little.”
“Wow, you know everything. Lucky you.”
“I’ll advise you, when you find a guy.”
“A guy? Me? I’ll never find a guy. And where would I find one? We work all day long.”
“You’ll find one, you’ll find one. Now, when Pascal becomes president, we’ll work less, get good salaries, buy only the most beautiful things… guys are going to be all over you.”
“Eh… you think?”
“Absolutely! You bet… this is what I wanted to tell you. It was because of him that I didn’t wake you when Svetlana cried.”
“Because of Habib?”
“Yup. I told you. I pretended not to be interested in him. And I saw, I know how to recognize this, that he was really into me. From before, you get it? Not only last night at the club.”
“Really?”
“Really. I can read men between the lines. And when we went back to the hotel I immediately told him good night, and went to our room. I was certain that he wouldn’t resist and that he’d knock on our door, and take me down to the bar for a drink, and then he’d tell me that he’s liked me for a long time…”
“Aw, Gloria… and what would you have told him?”
“I would have said that now, ahead of the elections, really wasn’t the time for such talks.”
“Would you, really?”
“I would. But only in the beginning, when he first mentioned it. So that he would have to repeat it, to explain why he likes me. To tell me what my hair is like, what my eyes are like, that he can’t sleep… that he’s constantly thinking of me.”
“And what if he didn’t repeat it? What if he accepted what you said and actually waited until the elections?”
“He’ll repeat it, he’ll repeat it. And if he doesn’t, then I would pout until he said again that he likes me. You can’t really plan it like that. You have to feel the moment, and then either be silent or smile or pout. As necessary.”
“I wouldn’t know how to. I’d immediately tell him how handsome he is.”
“I know, but… this is what I want to say to you. That is why I didn’t wake you. Last night when I entered our room, I stood fully dressed near the door for a few minutes. And then I quickly changed, put on my nightgown and lay in bed. So that when I opened the door he would see me in my nightgown. So that he didn’t think that I was waiting for him.”
“You’re really clever. You think of everything.”
“You have to, Dorika. Of course, I didn’t take off my makeup. Who would put makeup on again? Men really don’t get those things.”
“Of course.”
“So I’m lying there… and I hear Svetlana and all that. And after that I still hoped and waited for him… And that’s why I didn’t wake you, you get it?”
“I get it.”
“So you’re no longer angry?”
“I’m not. Actually, I am! Why didn’t you tell me this morning about Svetlana?”
“This morning? What’s with you, Dorika? We were all in panic. Raul banged on everyone’s door and shouted ‘Get up! Pack! We’re leaving Megapolis!’”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I remembered Svetlana only after the plane had taken off.”
“What are the two of you doing here all alone?” asked Habib, a member of Liam’s team, standing behind Gloria and Dorika.
Chapter 66
Pascal calmed down and stopped shouting and pounding on the door. “I cannot save her and the children this way. By giving away that I’m awake.”
He turned off all the lights and closed all the doors in this underground apartment of his. He stood in the narrow corridor with his back to the wall.
“I’ll wait for someone to come in, one of Prince’s bodyguards. He’ll go towards the bedroom door. Probably with a raised hand and holding a gun. And he won’t see me in the dark. Then I’ll jump him and take his gun. I’ll run outside, shooting at anyone who is with him, whoever is waiting for him. I just have to make sure not to kill all of them. I have to force at least one of them to tell me where she is. And where the children are.”
“‘If they are alive’? They are alive! They are alive!!! I know it! Today I stood at the hotel window and they didn’t shoot at me. They also didn’t kill me now. Perhaps they still haven’t killed Seneca or Raul. They’re waiting for something. I’m sure they’re waiting for the elections. I’m sure! To kill us all on the day before the elections, for example. And for the people to be afraid and to feel only fear. So that they don’t have time for anger and for an uprising. And then they cancel the elections and declared a state of emergency. Or something like that.
“They’re alive! I’m sure they’re alive! I’m Kaella’s greatest enemy. He wouldn’t kill others before he killed me,” Pascal calmed himself, while lying in wait.
Chapter 67
“We’re not here all alone…” stuttered Dorika, when she and Gloria turned suddenly towards Habib in surprise.
“Why are you eavesdropping on our conversation, Habib?!” Gloria erupted. “That’s very rude!”
“I wasn’t eavesdropping. I was dozing on the seat in the back, and I felt like a stroll… and then I saw… the two of you… alone here…”
“Nonsense!” said Gloria and turned away from Habib.
“May I sit with you a bit?” Habib asked, already sitting down next to Dorika.
“Of course…” Dorika uttered.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to have a stroll?” Gloria asked Habib crossly, looking straight in front of her.
“I just wanted to stretch my legs…”
“So stretch them.”
“I’ve already stretched them.”
Gloria fell silent and looked out the window.
“So, Dorika, you’re really angry with Gloria, because of Svetlana,” Habib laughed.
“No… that was just for a moment. We made up immediately.”
“Aha. That’s nice, such a friendship.”
“It is.”
“Do you also leave guys as often as your friend?”
“Me? Well, I… no…” Dorika stuttered.
“And that’s very nice of you. And Gloria…”
“Gloria – what?” shouted Gloria. “I intentionally made that up in order to convince Raul that Svetlana didn’t leave Pascal. If you can’t understand that than we have nothing to talk about.”
“We do, we do… about many things.”
“Such as how is it that you heard Svetlana in the first place?”
“I’m not deaf.”
“Neither is Dorika, are you Dorika?”
“No, I’m not, but I was asleep.”
“Aha. And you Gloria, you hadn’t gone to sleep?”
“I was reading something, if you’re so interested.”
“I’m interested, I’m interested… I’m very interested…”
“Excuse me,” said Dorika. “I have to get something to Margot… you know, Gloria, what she asked me for… that list…”
“Ah, that… yes…” Gloria was relieved because Dorika understood that she should leave.
“Habib, please, just a little… so I can pass.”
“Here you are, Dorika.” Habib got up from his seat.
Chapter 68
At that moment Raul was napping in his seat. The telephone in the inside pocket of his jacket vibrated twice and fell silent.
“Who’s calling me now?” wondered Raul. He didn’t feel like talking on the phone. This nap was doing him well, this semi-sleep after all the stress that he had been under that day. “And everything ended well. The people are calm… and they are happy, because of all that support for Pascal. They are proud… I see, how proud they are… there… there… and they deserve it…”
“But that’s not my telephone… mine is at my waist… ah, yes… it’s Pascal’s. Forgive me, my friend… I know that you’ll forgive your friend Raul. I even stole your telephone today… So that Kaella, even if he can locate it… he isn’t all-powerful… thinks that you are with us. It doesn’t matter… some journalist got a hold of your number, Pascal, and he’s being a drag.